Apparatus for handling freight



Nov. 8; 1927. 1,648,301

- B. F. FITCH APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FREIGHT Filed June 25, 1925 5 Shets-Sheet 1 avwentm Nov. 8, 1927. 1,648,301

B. F. FITCH APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FREIGHT iled Juhe 25, 192.5 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Nov; 8, 192 7.

B. F. FITCH APPARATUS {FOR HANDLING FREIGHT Filed June 25, 1925 Sheets-Sheet 3 uvento'v SMM Nov. 8, 1927. 1,648,301

B. F. FITCH APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FREIGHT Filed June 25, 192.5, 5 Sheets-Sheet Patented Nov. 8, 1927.

UNITED STATES BENJAMIN I. FITCH, OF GREENWICH, CONN EC'IIGUT.

APPARATUS FOR HANDLING FREIGHT.

Application filed June-25, 1925. Serial No. 39,429.

' The employment of removable automobile bodies as containers for-package freight permits the utilization of buildin s for storage and for rehandling for distri ution in localities where the expense of rail-track terminals would be prohibitive. Temporary storage of containers in such off-track buildings relieves the rail head terminal and also reduces the consignees charges over those necessary in the usual system of breaking bulk and warehouse storing. To obtain the most advantageous locations for container storage at reasonable expense, it is frequently desirable to use facilities afforded by existing buildings, but the overall clearance between the floor and ceiling in man of these buildings precludes the use of individual crane trackways for handling heavy loaded bodies.

. One of the objects of my invention therefore is the provision of means for equipping buildings, particularly those having low clearance between the floor and ceiling for storing removable automobile bodies, either while loaded or unloaded, and for. enabling such bodies or containers to be shifted about in an expeditious manner to facilitate the movement of motor trucks which are employed for transporting containers to and from the building. In this connection, my

invention contemplates an arrangement of apparatus which will minimize the necessity for expensive hoisting apparatus and elevator equipment.

A further object of my invention is the provision of means for equipping buildings, station platforms and the like to permit the storage of removable automobile bodies in spaces which are usually inaccessible to the crane, yet which will permit the containers to be moved in a longitudinal and lateral direction by hand across a platform or floor so as to permit convenient removal of any container in an expeditious manner.

I carry out the above objects by employing ball bearing members which are mounted beneath the floor or other supporting surface so as to rotate in any direction. Only a small segmental portion of each ball projects above the floor so as not to interfere with hand trucking across the platform or other surface. These bearings are arranged in rows extending at right angles to each other throughout the surface of the floor which is to be used for storage purposes.

The bottom of the containers carry track-- ways which are arranged to register with the rows of bearings so as to permit movement of the container in-a longitudinal or lateral direction by a comparatively slight force exerted either upon the end or side of the container. In this way, a crane having only a relatively short runway need be employed for transferring the containers between a truck and a station, or storage platform. Thus I make available for use a large num ber of warehouses where there is not sufficient head room to employ a crane having a long runway and where the cost of installing crane equipment to cover the entire storage space would be prohibitive.

One form of arrangement for carrying out my invention is set forth in the accompanying drawings wherein Fig. l is a plan view of a station platform embodying my invention and disposed intermediate a truck runway and set of railroad tracks; Fig. 2 is an end elevation of the station platform shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a sectional view on an enlarged scale showing one of the bearing units; Fig. 4 is a plan view of a bearing unit with a part of the cover plate broken away; Fig. 5 is a bottom elevation of a container showing the guideways for the floor bearings and showing diagrammaticallythe relative position of the truck with reference to the container; Fig. 6 is a transverse sectional view through part of the container; Fig. 7 is a plan view of one of the connecting plates between the uideways on the bottom of the containers; Fig. 8 1s a transverse section taken on a lane indicated by the line 8-8 in Fig. 7 ig. 9 is a plan view showing a storage warehouse and illustrating the adaptability of my invention for storing containers in different parts of a warehouse;

and Fig. 10 is a section taken through the warehouse on a plane indicated by the line 10-10 in Fig. 9.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, 10 indicates a station platform which extends intermediate a truck runway 11 and a set of railroad tracks 12. An overhead crane 13 is shown as being arranged to travel upon overhead tracks 14 which are supported b columns 15 so as to permit movement of t e crane laterally with reference to the platform. As shown particularly in Fig. 2 the crane runway overhangs the truck runway and functions only to permit the transfer of a container between the platform and a truck which is positioned in the truck runway.

To permit shifting of the containers along the platform, I provide bearing units at spaced intervals on the platform surface. In the preferred form, these units are arranged in parallel rows extending longitudinally of the platform and in parallel rows extending transversely of the platform. As shown particularly in Fig. 3, eachunit comprises a large ball 20 which is supported upon small ball bearings 21 within a substantially hemispherical raceway 22. The member 22 may be held within a housing 23 and may be positioned vertically with reference to the housing by the nuts 24 and 25 which are in threaded engagement with the housing. Suitable spaced recesses 26 in the member 24 permit the insertion of a wrench into the housing for adjusting the vertical position of the member 24 with reference to the floor surface while an opening 27 in the member 24 permits access to a similar opening 28 in the member 25 to lock the member 24 when the proper height is obtained. This vertical adjustment controls the amount by which the bearing 20 projects above the floor surface.

The ball raceway in the member 22 is shown as being slightly enlarged as at 30 adjacent the upper end thereof. The purpose of this enlargement is to permit the small hearings to move away from the large bearing after they are caused to roll up the side of the raceway when the unit is in operation. For example, if the large bearing --20 is being rotated in a counter clock-wise direction as shown in Fig. 3, then the normal tendency for the small bearings is to roll up the side 31 and toward the small bearings 32. Similarly the small bearings 0n the opposite side tend to roll down the surface 33. By enlarging the raceway as at 30, then the small bearings may roll around the periphcry of the raceway from the side 31 to the side 33.'and thereby to provide continuous roller bearing support for the ball 20.

The small bearings may be retained within the raceway by a plate 34 which is shown as being fastened to the housing and as over hanging the small bearing raceway. The tread plate 35 is shown as being superimposed upon the retaining plate 34 but as being spaced therefrom by a layer of felt which engages the large ball and functions to maintain the bearing dustproof as well as to hold lubricant within the unit. Securing members 37 may then be employed for holding the tread plate. felt layer and retaining plate 34 in adjusted position.

The bearing illustrated in Fig. 3 is well adapted for insertion as a unit within a station platform or storage warehouse. since all that is required is to cut a hole to receive the body 38 of the housing. and to make a larger hole to receive a flange 39. After the unit is inserted within the floor surface. then if the ball does not project the proper distance above the floor surface, further adjustment may be obtained by removing the cover plate and the associated raceway and then adjusting the members 24 and 25 to the desired degree.

Referring now to Fig. 5, I have shown the bottom. of a container as having longitudinal guides 40, 41, 42 and 43 with lateral guides 44, 45, 46 and 47 respectively. These guides embody channel-shaped members which are shown more in detail in Figs. 3 and 6. The flanges on the guideways are curved gradually so as to provide sufficient means for guiding the container along the bearing units, yet to prevent binding between the units and the guidcways. At the junction of the various guideways I may employ connecting plates 50, each of which has rounded lugs 51 adjacent the corners thereof. These lugs function to center the container with reference to the rows of bearing units for enabling the direction of container movement to be changed.

From an inspection of Figs. 1 and 2 it will be apparent that to permit a container to be transferred between a truck and a station platform it is only necessary to make the container travels transversely of the plat" form.and along the guideways 44 to 47 inclusive. After it is clear of the crane runway, then a container 65. which previously has been moved along the platform until it is disposed over the rows of bearing units which extend beneath the crane runway, is moved manually until it is in posit-ion to be engaged by the crane.

To illustrate the manner in which a container may be moved along the platform. reference may had to th." container which is first moved longitudinally of the platform to the position shown by '70 and then transversely of the platform to the position shown at 70 The transverse movement is continued until. t e container is in the position 70 and over the. rows of hearing units which permit further movement longitudinally of the platform and beneath the crane runway.

The extent to which my invention may be employed for facilitating the storage of containers within a warehouse or upon a platform so as to utilize the capacity of the storage space to greatest advantage. and to render any one container readily accessible, is well illustrated in Fig. 9 wherein a storage warehouse is shown as having a crane, indicated in general at 76, adjacent one end thereof, and as having a track 77 extending at right angles to the crane runway. Here too, the bearing units are arranged in rows at right angles to each other so as to permit shifting of the containers longitudinally and laterally of the building. By arranging rows of bearing units between the columns 78 then the space may be utilized to the maximum capacity for storing containers, and for minimum movement to make any one container accessible for transfer purposes. It is evident that in an odd-shaped building as shown in Fig. 9, the cost of overhead crane trackways for enabling the containers to be stored in narrow spaces would be prohibitive. By my arrangement a container which is to be stored for a comparatively long time can be moved by hand alongthe necessary rows of bearin units until it is disposed in a location which will not interfere with the traffic of other containers, which are to be stored for a comparatively short time.

The location in which containers are .stored in the building shown in Fig. 9 is dependent upon the requirements for immediate or future transfer and is left to the discretion of thewarehouse keeper in accordance with the trafiic requirements and also in accordance with the building construction. For example one may leave a central aisle free for longitudinal or lateral movement or may locate the containers in groups in accordance with the destination or with the time for shipment. Thus, movement along the platform or warehouse may be readily accomplished without necessitating the use of extensive overhead crane equipment, and without requiring a truck to remain still for any extensive period of time.

I claim: i

1. In combination, a support, rotatable members mounted on the support and arranged in rows at right angles to each other, said members having a portion thereof projecting above the support, a container and trackways on the bottom of the container, said trackways extending at right angles to each other and being arranged to register with the rows of members.

2. In combination, a support, spaced spherical members journaled on the support, the center of each member being disposed below the surface of the support, said members being arranged in rows extending at right angles to each other, and a container having trackways on the bottom thereof, said trackways being mounted to register with the rows of members whereby the container may be moved longitudinally along one row, and then laterally along another row without necessitating engagement between the container and the surface of said support.

3. In combination, a support, spaced bearing members journaled within the support so as to project slightly above the surface thereof, said members being arranged in rows extending. at right angles to each other, a container having trackways mounted on the bottom thereof, said trackways being arranged to register with the rows of members so as to permit movement of the container in a longitudinal as well as lateral direction and each of said trackways having downwardly extending guide flanges for guiding the container along the rows.

4. In combination, a support, a track runway adjacent to said support, a crane overhanging the support and runway, said crane being adapted to transfer a removable automobile body from a truck on the runway and to transfer it to said support, spaced rotatable bearing members journaled in the support and arranged in rows extending at right angles to each other, said body having spaced trackways arranged to register with the rows extending beneath the body runway, whereby a container may be propelled by hand from a point beneath the runway to another point on the support.

5. In combination, a support, a plurality of spaced rotatable members journalled 1n the support, said members being arranged in rows at right angles to each other, a container, trackways mounted on the bottom of the container, and arranged to register with the rows of members whereby the container may be moved in a longitudinal and lateral direction with reference to said support, and roller bearing means beneath each of said members, said means functioning to withstand vertical load stresses and to permit rotation of said members in any direction.

6. In combination, a support, spaced rotatable bearing members journalled beneath the surface of said support and each having a portion thereof extending above the surface of the support, said members being arranged in rows, extending at right angles to each other, a container, trackways on the container, said trackways being arranged to register with the rows of members, means adjacent the intersections of the trackways for enabling the container to be shifted from one row to another row at right angles thereto, and means beneath each of said members for enabling it to be rotated in every direction with reference to the support.

7. In combination, a support having openings at spaced intervals and in rows extending at right angles to each other over said support, a housing mounted within each opening, a ball race adjustably positioned within each housing, a load engaging ball mounted on said race and projecting partially above the surface of the support, means for retaining each ball in operative position, a container and trackways on the bottom of the container, said trackways being disposed at right angles to each other and being ar ranged to register with the rows of bearing members whereby said container may be shifted longitudinally and laterally.

8. In combination a housing, a cup-shaped ball race carried by the housing, means for vertically adjusting the ball race with reference to the housing, relatively small ball bearing members associated with the ball race and a relatively large single ball bearin journaled on the small bearing members, said large bearing member projecting partially above the top of the housing and a cover plate mounted on the housing and functioning to permit rotation of the large bearing member and also to retain it in ad justed position within said housing.

9. In combination, a relatively large ball member, a plurality of relatively small ball bearing members providing a support for the large member, a substantially hemispherical ball race for the small members, a

housing enclosing the ball race, means in threaded engagement with the housing for vertically positionin the ball race with reference to the housing, and a cover plate having an opening through which a portion of the large member projects, said cover plate functioning to hold both large and small bearin members in adjusted position.

10. In com ination, a relatively large ball bearing member, a plurality of relatively small bearing members providin a support for the large member, substantially hemispherical ball race for-the small members, a housing, means adjustably positioning the ball race with reference to the housing, and a cover late mounted on the housing and functionmg to retain the large and small bearing members in position, said raceway having a peripheral groove adjacent the cover plate to permit the small containers to move from one side of the ball race to the opposite side when the large member is rotated.

In testimony whereof, I hereunto aflix my 

